U.S. patent application number 12/981762 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-30 for touch-sensing display device and touch-sensing module thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Zeng-De Chen, Tsung-Chin Cheng, Kung-Chieh Huang, Kuo-Feng Kao, Seok-Lyul Lee.
Application Number | 20110157061 12/981762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44186892 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110157061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kao; Kuo-Feng ; et
al. |
June 30, 2011 |
Touch-Sensing Display Device and Touch-Sensing Module Thereof
Abstract
A touch-sensing display device, specifically to a borderless
touch-sensing display device, is disclosed. The touch-sensing
display device includes a display module and a touch-sensing
module. The touch-sensing module includes a first sensing sheet and
a second sensing sheet, wherein a space exists between the first
sensing sheet and the second sensing sheet. The first sensing sheet
includes a lens layer, a plurality of first conductive portions,
and a conductive film, wherein the conductive film is disposed on
the lens layer while the first conductive portions are distributed
on two opposite sides of the lens layer. The second sensing sheet
includes a substrate, a plurality of second conductive portions,
and a plurality of conductive strips, wherein the second conductive
portions are selectively distributed on one of two sides of the
substrate while the conductive strips are respectively connected to
the second conductive portions and have different voltages.
Inventors: |
Kao; Kuo-Feng; (Hsin-Chu,
TW) ; Cheng; Tsung-Chin; (Hsin-Chu, TW) ;
Huang; Kung-Chieh; (Hsin-Chu, TW) ; Chen;
Zeng-De; (Hsin-Chu, TW) ; Lee; Seok-Lyul;
(Hsin-Chu, TW) |
Assignee: |
AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
Hsin-Chu
TW
|
Family ID: |
44186892 |
Appl. No.: |
12/981762 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 3/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 31, 2009 |
TW |
098146565 |
Claims
1. A touch-sensing display device, comprising: a display module;
and a touch-sensing module disposed on the display module, wherein
a first space exists between the display module and the
touch-sensing module, the touch-sensing module includes: a first
sensing sheet, including: a lens layer comprising a light entrance
surface and a light exit surface, wherein the light entrance
surface has a first side and a second side opposite to each other;
a plurality of first conductive portions disposed on the light
entrance surface of the lens layer; and a conductive film disposed
on the light entrance surface of the lens layer and between the
first conductive portions and electrically connected to the first
conductive portions; and a second sensing sheet, wherein a second
space exists between the first sensing sheet and the second sensing
sheet, the second sensing sheet includes: a substrate facing the
lens layer and including a third side and a fourth side
corresponding to the first side and the second side, respectively;
a plurality of second conductive portions; and a plurality of
sensing conductive strips electrically connected to the second
conductive portions.
2. The touch-sensing display device of claim 1, wherein the
touch-sensing module further includes a spacer disposed between the
first sensing sheet and the second sensing sheet to maintain the
second space between the first sensing sheet and the second sensing
sheet.
3. The touch-sensing display device of claim 2, wherein the spacer
is disposed between adjacent sensing conductive strips.
4. The touch-sensing display device of claim 1, wherein two ends of
each sensing conductive strip are connected between the second
conductive portions, the sensing conductive strips are
perpendicular to the second conductive portions.
5. The touch-sensing display device of claim 4, wherein the second
sensing sheet further includes a plurality of resistance portions
electrically connected to the second conductive portion or the
sensing conductive strip.
6. The touch-sensing display device of claim 5, wherein two ends of
each resistance portion are electrically connected respectively to
one end of the sensing conductive strip and the second conductive
portion.
7. The touch-sensing display device of claim 5, wherein two ends of
the resistance portion are connected to two adjacent sensing
conducive strips.
8. The touch-sensing display device of claim 4, wherein the second
conductive portions are parallel to each other and extend parallel
to the third side or the fourth side.
9. The touch-sensing display device of claim 1, wherein one end of
the sensing conductive strip is electrically connected to one end
of the nearest sensing conductive strip on one side while another
end of the sensing conductive strip is electrically connected to
one end of another nearest sensing conductive strip on another
side, the sensing conductive strips are electrically connected and
tortuously disposed to form a meander on the substrate.
10. The touch-sensing display device of claim 9, wherein the second
conductive portions are disposed on the third side.
11. The touch-sensing display device of claim 9, wherein the
adjacent sensing conductive strips are connected by a resistance
portion.
12. The touch-sensing display device of claim 1, wherein the
touch-sensing module further includes a fixing element, disposed
between the first sensing sheet and the second sensing sheet, for
connecting the first sensing sheet with the second sensing
sheet.
13. A touch-sensing module, comprising: a lens layer having a first
side and a second side opposite to each other; a plurality of first
conductive portions including a first electrode and a second
electrode disposed on the lens layer and adjacent to the first side
and the second side of the lens layer; a transparent conductive
film disposed on the lens layer while electrically connected to the
first electrode and the second electrode; a substrate corresponding
to the lens layer and having a third side and a fourth side
opposite to each other, the third side and the fourth side
corresponding to the first side and the second side, respectively;
a plurality of second conductive portions distributed on at least
one of the third side and the fourth side; a plurality of
transparent conductive strips disposed on the substrate and extend
in a direction perpendicular to the third side and the fourth side;
and a transparent refractive layer disposed between the lens layer
and the substrate.
14. The touch-sensing module of claim 13, further comprising a
plurality of spacers disposed on the substrate and located between
adjacent transparent conductive strips.
15. The touch-sensing module of claim 13, wherein the second
conductive portions include a third electrode and a fourth
electrode disposed respectively at the third side and the fourth
side of the substrate adjacent to the lens layer, respectively.
16. The touch-sensing module of claim 15, wherein one end of the
transparent conductive strip is electrically connected to the third
electrode while another end of the transparent conductive strip is
electrically connected to the fourth electrode.
17. The touch-sensing module of claim 16, further comprising a
plurality of resistance portions disposed on the substrate.
18. The touch-sensing module of claim 17, wherein the transparent
conductive strip is connected to the third electrode via the
resistance portion.
19. The touch-sensing module of claim 17, wherein the third
electrode includes a plurality of sub-electrode respectively
electrically connected to the transparent conductive strips, the
sub-electrodes are electrically connected via the resistance
portions.
20. The touch-sensing module of claim 13, wherein the second
conductive portions include a fifth electrode and a sixth electrode
disposed at the third side of the substrate adjacent to the lens
layer.
21. The touch-sensing module of claim 20, wherein one end of one of
the transparent conductive strips is electrically connected to the
fifth electrode or the sixth electrode.
22. The touch-sensing module of claim 20, wherein one end of one of
the transparent conductive strip is electrically connected to one
end of one of adjacent transparent conductive strips and spaced
apart form one end of one of adjacent transparent conductive strips
by a distance.
23. The touch-sensing module of claim 22, further comprising a
resistance portion disposed on the substrate and between two
adjacent transparent conductive strips.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a touch-sensing display device and
a touch-sensing module thereof, specifically to a borderless
touch-sensing display device and a touch-sensing module.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Flat display devices are now the mainstream in display
devices. Electronic products such as home television, monitors of
personal computers and laptops, screens of mobile phones and
digital cameras are now extensively using flat display devices. As
more and more consumers have the demand for flat display device
with ease of control, aesthetic appearance, and multi-functions,
touch-sensing liquid crystal panels are now becoming a mainstream
in flat display devices.
[0005] Due to the frame of the liquid crystal panel, images cannot
be displayed at the location where the frame is disposed. In order
to increase the display area of the liquid crystal panel and to
achieve a borderless appearance of the liquid crystal panel, a lens
layer with a Fresnel lens structure is conventionally disposed in
the liquid crystal panel. In this way, the lens layer can magnify
the images from the liquid crystal panel and conceals the frame of
the liquid crystal panel to achieve a visual effect that a portion
of the liquid crystal panel can have a borderless appearance.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional touch-sensing
display device 10. The conventional touch-sensing display device 10
includes a lens layer 20, a display module 30 and a touch-sensing
module 40, wherein the touch-sensing module 40 further includes an
upper sensing sheet 50 and a lower sensing sheet 60. As FIG. 1
shows, the touch-sensing module 40 and the lens layer 20 are
disposed on the display module 30 while the touch-sensing module 40
is disposed between the display module 30 and the lens layer 20.
The lens layer 20 is a lens having a Fresnel lens structure. Due to
the sealant 31 of the display module 30, images cannot be displayed
at the location where the sealant 31 is disposed. In order to
increase the display area of the display module 30 and to achieve a
borderless appearance of the display module 30, the lens layer 20
is disposed on the display module 30 to magnify the images
generated by the display module 30 and conceals a portion of the
display module 30 not capable of displaying images, i.e., where the
sealant 31 is disposed. In this way, the conventional touch-sensing
device 10 can have a borderless appearance.
[0007] As FIG. 1 shows, an upper conductive film 51 and a lower
conductive film 61 are disposed on the upper sensing sheet 50 and
the lower sensing sheet 60, respectively. Two upper conductive
lines 52 and two lower conductive lines 62 are disposed on two
opposite sides of the upper sensing sheet 50 and the lower sensing
sheet 60. Two ends of the upper sensing sheet 51 are electrically
connected to the upper conductive lines 52, wherein a fixed voltage
is applied across the upper conductive lines 52 to create a uniform
electric field between the upper conductive lines 52. Similarly, a
fixed voltage is applied across the lower conductive lines 62 to
create a uniform electric field between the lower conductive lines
62. When a medium such as finger or pen touches the touch-sensing
module 40, the conductive films 51, 61 of the touch-sensing module
40 will contact each other causing a voltage drop due to short
circuit. The upper conductive line 52 detects the voltage of the
lower conductive film 61 at the touch point via the upper
conductive film 51 and then transmits the voltage to a backend
processor 500. The backend processor 500 has a software-assisted
function and can be disposed on a printed circuit board or a
personal computer. Alternatively, the backend processor 500 can be
connected to a flexible circuit board 53 as shown in FIG. 1 and
then to other external devices for further processing. In different
embodiment, the backend processor 500 can also be connected to the
upper conductive line 52 in order to receive voltage signals
directly; in this way, the flexible circuit board 53 can be
omitted. Similarly, the lower conductive line 62 detects the
voltage of the upper conductive film 51 at the touch point via the
lower conductive film 61 and transmits the voltage to the backend
processor 500. The backend processor 500 will then calculate the
coordinate of the touch point after receiving the voltage signals
from the conductive lines 52, 62.
[0008] As FIG. 1 shows, the lens layer 20 is disposed outside the
touch-sensing module 40 as an add-on, and therefore the lens layer
20 will inevitably increase the overall thickness of the
touch-sensing display device 10. Furthermore, the touch-sensing
function and the relative sensitivity of the touch-sensing module
40 will be influenced by the lens layer 20. In addition, the upper
conductive line 52 and the lower conductive line 62 are
perpendicular to each other and are both disposed at the edge of
the conductive films 51, 61. Therefore, the conductive lines 52, 62
will inevitably conceal part of the display area of the display
module 30 increasing the difficulty in designing a borderless
appearance. In other words, the sealant 31 and the display module
30 concealed by the conductive lines 52, 62 will decrease in the
available display area. Currently, the market demands for thinner
touch-sensing mobile device with a borderless appearance.
Therefore, one of the current difficulties in display device
manufacturing is to create a borderless display module with
touch-sensing function and without increasing the overall thickness
of the display device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
thinner touch-sensing display device with greater available display
area.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
touch-sensing display device with borderless appearance.
[0011] The touch-sensing display device of the present invention
includes a display module and a touch-sensing module, wherein the
touch-sensing module is disposed on the display module and a first
space exists between the touch-sensing module and the display
module. The touch-sensing module includes a first sensing sheet and
a second sensing sheet, wherein the second sensing sheet is
disposed between the first sensing sheet and the display module
while a second space exists between the first sensing sheet and the
second sensing sheet. The first sensing sheet includes a lens
layer, a pair of first conductive portions and a conductive film,
wherein the first conductive portions are disposed on the opposite
two sides of the inner surface of lens layer. The lens layer has a
Fresnel lens structure, wherein the conductive film is disposed on
the inner surface of lens layer and connected to the first
conductive portion with a fixed voltage applied between two first
conductive portions. The second sensing sheet includes a substrate,
a plurality of second conductive portions and a plurality of
sensing conductive strips, wherein the second conductive portions
are disposed on at least one side of the substrate.
[0012] The sensing conductive strips of the present invention are
disposed on the substrate, wherein each sensing conductive strip
corresponds to different voltages. In one embodiment of the prevent
invention, the second sensing sheet further includes a plurality of
resistance portions, wherein two ends of the resistance portions
are connected to the second conductive portion and the sensing
conductive strip, respectively. Each resistance portion has a
substantial different resistance so that the corresponding sensing
conductive strip has a voltage different form other sensing
conductive strips. Two ends of the sensing conductive strip are
connected to two different second conductive portions, but are not
limited thereto; in different embodiments, the resistance portion
can be disposed on the substrate in different configurations so
that each sensing conductive strip has a different voltage. In this
way, when the conductive film of the first sensing sheet is pressed
to contact the sensing conductive strips at the touch point, the
first conductive portion of the lens layer will transmit the
voltage signal of the sensing conductive strip at the touch point
to the conductive film and then to a backend processor for further
processing. Similarly, the second conductive portion on the
substrate will transmit the voltage signal of the conductive film
at the touch point to the sensing conductive strip to the backend
processor. The backend processor can calculate the coordinates of
the touch point based on the received voltage signals. Furthermore,
the lens layer is integrated into the touch-sensing module which
allows the touch-sensing display device of the present invention to
have a borderless appearance without increasing additional
thickness.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a conventional touch-sensing
display device;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the touch-sensing display
device of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the first conductive portion,
the second conductive portion and the display module attached
together;
[0016] FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are cross-sectional views of the
touch-sensing display device illustrated in FIG. 3A;
[0017] FIG. 4 is another cross-sectional view of the touch-sensing
display device illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0018] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 illustrate variation embodiments of the
touch-sensing display device illustrated in FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] The present invention provides a touch-sensing display
device and a touch-sensing module thereof, specifically to a
borderless touch-sensing display device and a touch-sensing module
thereof. The present invention can be used in a mobile
communication device for displaying images and providing
touch-sensing capability, but is not limited thereto. In different
embodiments, the present invention can be used in digital cameras
or other electronic products in need of image-displaying and
touch-sensing capabilities. The touch-sensing display device of the
present invention includes a display module, wherein the display
module includes a liquid crystal display module, but is not limited
thereto; in different embodiments, the display module of the
present invention includes organic light emitting diode or other
flat display modules. Furthermore, the touch-sensing display device
further includes a touch-sensing module disposed on the display
module for detecting user's touch, wherein the touch-sensing module
generates electrical signals based on the user's touch so that a
backend processor can calculate the coordinates of the user's touch
from the electrical signals.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the touch-sensing display
device 100 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the
touch-sensing display device 100 includes a display module 200, a
touch-sensing module 300, an upper casing 400 and a lower casing
410, wherein the display module 200 and the touch-sensing module
300 are disposed between the upper casing 400 and the lower casing
410. The upper casing 400 further includes a display opening 401
for the display module 200 to display images outward through the
display opening 401. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the
display module 200 is a liquid crystal display module, but is not
limited thereto; in different embodiments, the display module 200
can be an organic light emitting display module or other flat
display modules. The touch-sensing module 300 of the present
embodiment is a resistive touch-sensing module, wherein the
touch-sensing module 300 is disposed on the display module 200 to
accept user's touch and generate electrical signals based on the
user's touch so that a backend processor 500 can calculate the
location of the user's touch from the electrical signals. The
backend processor 500 having a software-assisted function can be
disposed on a printed circuit board or within a personal computer.
Alternatively, the backend processor 500 can be connected to a
flexible circuit board as shown in FIG. 2, which is then connected
to external devices such as personal computer for further
processing (not shown). The above-mentioned flexible circuit board
can be connected to the bottom of the touch-sensing module 300 to
bypass the potential borderless region of the touch-sensing module
300. Furthermore, as FIG. 2 shows, when the touch-sensing module
300 is disposed between the upper casing 400 and the lower casing
410, only two sides 312, 313 of the touch-sensing module 300 are
covered by the upper casing 400. In other words, the touch-sensing
display device 100 of the present invention substantially has a
borderless appearance on especially the two sides which are not
covered.
[0021] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the touch-sensing
module 300 has a first sensing sheet 310 and a second sensing sheet
320, wherein the first sensing sheet 310 is located between the
upper casing 400 and the second sensing sheet 320 while the second
sensing sheet 320 is disposed between the first sensing sheet 310
and the display module 200. As FIG. 2 shows, the first sensing
sheet 310 includes a lens layer 311, a pair of first conductive
portions 314, and a conductive film, wherein the first conductive
portions 314 are parallel with each other. The conductive film 315
(illustrated in FIG. 3B) is disposed on the inner surface of the
lens layer 311 which faces the second sensing sheet 320. Two first
conductive portions 314 are disposed on the lens layer 311 and
adjacent to the first side 312 and the opposite second side 313 of
the first touch-sensing sheet 310, respectively. The conductive
film 315 is disposed on the surface of the lens layer 311 and
between the first conductive portions 314 of the first
touch-sensing sheet 310. The conductive film 315 is electrically
connected to both of the first conductive portions 314. In the
present embodiment, the material of the first conductive portion
314 includes conductive silver ink, but is not limited thereto; in
different embodiments, the first conductive portion 314 can include
conductive material such as molybdenum (Mo) or a combination of
molybdenum and aluminum (Mo/Al/Mo). Furthermore, the conductive
film 315 of the present embodiment is preferably a transparent
conductive film including indium tin oxide (ITO), but is not
limited thereto; in different embodiments, the conductive film 315
can include transparent conductive material such as indium zinc
oxide (IZO) or aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO).
[0022] In the present embodiment, the second touch-sensing sheet
320 includes a substrate 321 (illustrated in FIG. 3B) and a pair of
second conductive portions 324 disposed on the substrate 321
respectively near the third side 322 and the opposite fourth side
323 and faces the first touch-sensing sheet 310, wherein the second
conductive portions 324 are parallel with each other. In the
present embodiment, the substrate 321 includes ordinary glasses,
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films or tempered glasses, but is
not limited thereto; in different embodiments, the substrate 321
can include a light-transmissible flat plate. Furthermore, the
second conductive portion 324 can include conductive silver ink,
but is not limited thereto; in different embodiments, the second
conductive portion 324 can include conductive material such as
molybdenum (Mo) or a combination of molybdenum and aluminum
(Mo/Al/Mo). Furthermore, as FIG. 2 shows, the first side 312 and
the second side 313 of the first touch-sensing sheet 310 correspond
to the third side 322 and the fourth side 323 of the substrate 321,
respectively. In other words, the first conductive portion 314 is
disposed over the second conductive portion 324 and parallel to
each other. The first conductive portion 314 and the second
conductive portion 324 of the present embodiment are
non-transparent conductive electrodes, and therefore the first
conductive portion 314 and the second conductive portion 324
substantially block or absorb light from the display module 200.
However, since the first conductive portion 314 and the second
conductive portion 324 are disposed at two same sides of the
touch-sensing module 300, in one hand, two sides of the first
touch-sensing sheet 310 respectively connected to the first side
312 and the second side 313, and in the other hand, two sides of
the second touch-sensing sheet 320 respectively connected to the
third side 322 and the fourth side 323 are not covered by the upper
casing 400. It can be seen that the area of the display module 200
covered by the touch-sensing module 300 can be reduced by disposing
the conductive portions 314, 324 at the same side of the
touch-sensing module 300. Consequently, the available display area
of the display module 200 is increased to achieve the borderless
appearance of the touch-sensing display device 100, especially on
the two borderless sides not disposed with the first and second
conductive portions 314, 324.
[0023] As FIG. 2 shows, the second touch-sensing sheet 320 further
includes a plurality of sensing conductive strips 325 disposed on
the substrate 321, wherein the sensing conductive strips 325 are
located between the second conductive portions 324 and electrically
connected to the second conductive portions 324. As FIG. 2 shows,
the sensing conductive strips 325 are perpendicular to the second
conductive portions 324, wherein one end of each sensing conductive
strip 325 is electrically connected to one of the second conductive
portions 324 while the other end straightly extends toward the
other second conductive portion 324. In other words, the sensing
conductive strip 325 is a conductor extending in a straight line
across the substrate 321, e.g., from the third side 322 to the
fourth side 323, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the sensing conductive strip 325 can be disposed
tortuously to form a meander on the substrate 321 (illustrated in
FIG. 6) or in other shapes. Furthermore, the material of the
sensing conductive strip 325 of the present embodiment includes
conductive and light-transmissible indium tin oxide (ITO), but is
not limited thereto; in different embodiments, the sensing
conductive strip 325 can include conductive and light-transmissible
material such as indium zinc oxide (IZO) or aluminum-doped zinc
oxide (AZO). Furthermore, the second sensing sheet 320 illustrated
in FIG. 2 further includes a plurality of spacers 326, wherein each
of the spacers 326 is disposed on the substrate 321 and between
adjacent sensing conductive strips 325 to maintain the distance
between the adjacent sensing conductive strips 325.
[0024] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, one of the first
conductive portions 314 is electrically connected to the backend
processor 500, wherein the backend processor 500 of the present
embodiment can have a software-assisted function and be disposed on
a printed circuit board or in a personal computer. Alternatively,
the backend processor 500 can be connected to a flexible circuit
board as shown in FIG. 2 and then to other device such as personal
computer for further processing (not shown). Furthermore, a fixed
voltage can be applied to the two first conductive portions 314,
wherein one of the first conductive portions 314 is grounded.
Similarly, a fixed voltage is applied to the two second conductive
portions 324, wherein one of the second conductive portions 324 is
grounded. In the present embodiment, the fixed voltage is set at 5
V, but is not limited thereto; in different embodiment, the voltage
can be adjusted according to different design choices. As FIG. 2
shows, the second sensing sheet 320 of the present embodiment
includes a plurality of resistance portions 327, wherein the
resistance portions 327 have substantially different resistance. In
the present embodiment, the resistance of the resistance portion
327 is modified by changing its structure. For instance, the
resistance of resistance portion 327 can be modified by preferably
changing its length, width, or thickness, seldom by changing the
material of the resistance portion 327. Two ends of the resistance
portion 327 are connected to the second conductive portion 324 and
the sensing conductive strip 325, respectively. In other words, in
this embodiment, since each resistance portion 327 has
substantially different resistance and is electrically connected to
one of the sensing conductive strips 325 in series, the combination
of each resistance portion 327 and the corresponding sensing
conducive strip 325 has substantially different resistance. In this
way, each sensing conductive strip 325 is different in voltage. In
the present embodiment, different voltage can be applied to
different sensing conductive strip 325, but it is not limited
thereto; in different embodiments, each sensing conductive strip
325 can be connected to a flexible circuit board through a pin,
wherein different signals are fed to the sensing conductive strips
325 through the respective pins. Furthermore, in the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2, the resistance portion 327 is disposed on
one side of the sensing conductive strip 325 which is near the
third side 322, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the resistance portion 327 can be disposed on the
other side of the sensing conductive strip 325 which is near the
fourth 323.
[0025] FIG. 3A is a schematic view of the first conductive portion
314, the second conductive portion 324 and the display module 200
attached together. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the display
module 200 and the touch-sensing module 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A
along the line A-A', wherein the touch-sensing portion 300 is
disposed on the display module 200. As FIG. 3B shows, the
touch-sensing display device 100 includes the display module 200,
the touch-sensing module 300 and a first fixing element 330,
wherein the touch-sensing module 300 is disposed on the display
panel 200, and a first space 316 exists between the touch-sensing
module 300 and the display module 200. The first space 316 of the
present embodiment is a space of air layer or vacuum. In other
words, the first space 316 is a transparent layer for refracting
the image signal of the display module 300 in a unidirectional
fashion. Furthermore, the refractive index in the first space 316
is preferably 1.0, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the refractive index in the first space 316 can be
adjusted between 0.5 and 1.5. The first fixing element 330 of the
present embodiment is an adhesive for fixing the touch-sensing
module 300 onto the display module 200, but is not limited thereto.
In different embodiments, the first fixing element 330 includes
objects that can shield light such as clip, metal frame, plastic
frame or other elements capable of fixing two flat objects
together. The thickness of the first space 316 is 3 mm, but is not
limited thereto; in different embodiments, the thickness of first
space 316 can be adjusted between 1 mm and 5 mm according to
limitations on the overall thickness of touch-sensing display
device 100 or other design choices. The display module 200 of the
present embodiment is a liquid crystal display panel including an
upper substrate 210, a lower substrate 220, a liquid crystal layer
230 and a sealant 240, wherein the liquid crystal layer 230 is
maintained between the upper substrate 210 and the lower substrate
220 by the sealant 240. Since the lens layer 311 can magnify the
images generated by the display module 200, the sealant 240 is
concealed from the user, and therefore the touch-sensing display
device 100 will achieve a visual effect of borderless appearance on
two opposite sides. The display module 200 of the present
embodiment further includes a backlight module (not shown) used as
a light source for the display module 200.
[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, the lens layer 311
of the present embodiment includes an annular Fresnel lens
structure, wherein the lens layer 311 is capable of condensing
light from the display module 200 and magnifying the image of the
display module 200, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the lens layer 311 can include a linear Fresnel lens
structure or other lens structure capable of condensing light or
magnifying image. Furthermore, as FIG. 3B shows, the lens layer 311
includes a light entrance surface 317 and a light exit surface 318,
wherein the light entrance surface 317 faces the second sensing
sheet 320 and the display module 200 to receive light or image from
the display module 200. In the present embodiment, the light
entrance surface 317 has a concave and convex structure while the
light exit surface 318 is a planar surface, but is not limited
thereto; in different embodiments, the light entrance surface 317
and the light exit surface 318 can have other suitable surface
structures. Furthermore, in another cross-sectional view of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3C along line B-B', the first
sensing sheet 310 further includes a conductive film 315 disposed
on the light entrance surface 317 of the lens layer 311, wherein
the conductive layer 315 is electrically connected to both first
conductive portions 314.
[0027] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3B, the sensing
conductive strips 325 and the spacers 326 of the second sensing
sheet 320 are disposed on the substrate 321, wherein a second space
319 and a second fixing element 340 are located between the first
sensing sheet 310 and the second sensing sheet 320. The second
fixing element 340 is disposed at the edge of the substrate 321 and
the lens layer 311 and its thickness creates the second space 319
between the first sensing sheet 310 and the second sensing sheet
320. The second fixing element 340 of the present embodiment is an
adhesive for fixing the lens layer 311 and the conductive layer 315
onto the substrate 321, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the second fixing element 340 includes clip,
anisotropic conductive film tape, adhesive mixed with conductive
golden spheres, or other elements for fixing two planar objects.
Furthermore, in order to prevent the conductive film 315 from
unexpectedly making contact with the sensing conductive strips 325
and causing sensing error, the spacers 326 are disposed between
adjacent conductive strips 325. In the present embodiment, the
spacer 326 is disposed between the first sensing sheet 310 and the
second sensing sheet 320 to form the second space 319 between two
sensing sheets 310, 320. As FIG. 3B shows, the thickness of the
spacer 326 is greater than the thickness of the sensing conductive
strips 325 so that the spacer 326 can maintain the distance between
the conductive film 315 and the sensing conductive strips 325 to
avoid sensing error as described above. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 3B, the second space 319 is a space of air
layer for accepting and refracting light signals of images form the
display module 200, but is not limited thereto. In different
embodiments, the second space 319 can be a space of vacuum.
Furthermore, the refractive index in the second space 319 is
preferably 1.0, but is not limited thereto; in different
embodiments, the refractive index in the second space 319 can be
adjusted between 0.5 and 1.5.
[0028] Referring to FIG. 4, the working principle of the
touch-sensing module 300 of the present invention will be
explained. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the touch-sensing
display device 100. As FIG. 4 shows, when an object (finger or
stylus) exerts force on the lens layer 311 to press the conductive
film 315 downward making contact (short-circuiting) with the
sensing conductive strip 325, the conductive film 315 on the inner
surface of the lens layer 311 electrically connects at least one of
the sensing conductive strips 325. As FIG. 4 and FIG. 3A shows, the
conductive film 315 and the sensing conductive strips 325 makes
contact at touch point P. In the present embodiment, when the
conductive film 315 contacts the sensing conductive strip 325, the
electrical signal on the sensing conductive strip 325 will be
transmitted through the conductive film 315 to the first conductive
portion 314 and then to the backend processor 500. Similarly, the
electrical signal of the conductive film 315 at the touch point P
will be transmitted through the sensing conductive strip 325 to the
second conductive portion 324 and then to the backend processor.
The backend processor 500 then calculates the coordinates of the
touch point P after receiving electrical signals form the
conductive film 315 and the sensing conductive strips 325. In other
words, the first sensing sheet 310 and the second sensing sheet 320
are used to detect the electrical signals of the conductive film
315 and the sensing conductive strip 325 at the touch point P, so
that the backend processor 500 can calculate the coordinates of the
touch point P based on the electrical signals.
[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a variation embodiment of the
touch-sensing module 300 illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein only the
first sensing sheet 310 and the second sensing sheet 320 are
illustrated in FIG. 5 for clarity. As FIG. 5 shows, at least one of
the second conductive portions 324 of the present embodiment
includes a plurality of sub-electrodes 324a, wherein a plurality of
resistance portions 327 are connected in series with the
sub-electrodes 324a. In the present embodiment, the resistance
portion 327 is used to adjust the voltage at each sensing
conductive strip 325. Therefore, when the conductive film 315 of
the first sensing sheet 320 contacts different sensing conductive
strips 325, the electrical signal received by the first conductive
portion 314 and the conductive film 315 will be different.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, each resistance portion 327
has substantially the same resistance, but is not limited thereto;
in different embodiments, the resistance portions 327 can have
different resistance in order to adjust the voltage of the sensing
conductive strips 325.
[0030] FIG. 6 illustrates another variation embodiment of the
touch-sensing module 300 illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein only the
first sensing sheet 310 and the second sensing sheet 320 are
illustrated in FIG. 6 for clarity. As FIG. 6 shows, two second
conductive portions 324 are disposed on two ends of the third side
322 of the substrate 321. One end of the sensing conductive strip
325 is electrically connected to the closest end of adjacent
sensing conductive strip 325 on one side while the other end is
electrically connected the closest end of another adjacent sensing
conductive strip 325 on the other side. That is, the adjacent
sensing conductive strips 325 are spaced apart form each other by a
distance. In the present embodiment, two ends of each resistance
portion 327 are connected to the closest ends of two adjacent
sensing conductive strips 325. Furthermore, one end of the sensing
conductive strip 325 adjacent to the second conductive portion 324
is electrically connected to the second conductive portion 324. In
other words, the sensing conductive strips 325 and the resistance
portions 327 are electrically connected in series to form a
tortuous conductive strip.
[0031] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, a voltage of 5 V is
applied to the second conductive portion 324, but is not limited
thereto; in different embodiments, the applied voltage can be
optionally modified. In the present embodiment, each sensing
conductive strip 325 substantially has the same resistance. Since
two ends of each sensing conductive strip 325 is electrically to
one resistance portion 327, each sensing conductive strip 325
corresponds to different voltage. Furthermore, when the conductive
film 315 contacts different sensing conductive strips 325, the
first conductive portion 314 will sense different voltages.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the resistance portion 327
is a conventional passive resistor located between the sensing
conductive strips 325, wherein the resistance portions 327 have the
same resistance, but are not limited thereto. In the present
embodiment, the resistance portion 327 and the sensing conductive
strip 325 are made of the same material, but are not limited
thereto. Furthermore, the resistance of a conductor is inversely
proportional to its cross-sectional area, and therefore the
thickness or width of the resistance portion 327 of the
touch-sensing module 300 can be modified to adjust the voltage at
the sensing conductive strips 325.
[0032] The above is a detailed description of the particular
embodiment of the invention which is not intended to limit the
invention to the embodiment described. It is recognized that
modifications within the scope of the invention will occur to a
person skilled in the art. Such modifications and equivalents of
the invention are intended for inclusion within the scope of this
invention.
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